The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-12-19

wards away rom the easel while the painter
removed the covering Scarcely, however,
had this been done when his lordship's cx'
pectant grin changed to an expression OF
indignant surprise, and then to one OF iury'
For few moments he was speeches.; but at
length her splultered 10th
"Do you mean TO say that's me I"
Certainly my lord" said Mr.. Stumble,
blandly.
Man alive |" screamed the Irate peer
you've made me look 90 and bald and fat,
and pm--if my face Is as red as that ltsa
monstrous caricature, sir, that's what II is
II have painted you, my lord, precisely as
you are" replied Mr. Stumble at is my
principle not to aatter my sitters. am
always, trust, true to life"
Course your principles, sir l won't have
the thing won't pay farthing for III
You may burn II, or sell 1t, or do what you
please with 1t, Not one farthlng OF my
money do you get You don't know your own
business, sir"
And he rushed violently out OF the house,
invoking all manners OF rnalcdictlons upon
the head of Mr.. Stumble. Left 10 himself
that worthy at first looked as bad as his
visitor, but gradually his features relaxed and
Ne smiled grlmly.
"Very well, my lord,n he said to himself,
''Its carlcature is II. and don't know my
own business don't II III send that picture
to the academy in spite of you, my friend, and
wen see how many people will say it's not
good likeness. The iil-mannered old cur
mudgeon only wish had made him uglier
| than he isl''
Next day Mr. Stumble received the follow
ing note:
| SR,-I write TO inform you that decline to
accept or to pay for the picture which you are
pleased to call my portrait IL is a ridiculous
| daub which no human being would recognize
as being meant for me. So far us am con-
| cerned, YOU are at liberty TO sell the thing, or
do whatever You like with IL; but Tor Tue sahe
| of your reputation should advise you TO burn
| IT, You may take what legal proceedings you
please enclose my solicitors address. Your
| faithful servant, SToRR.
Mr. Stumble pondered for some time over
this eplstle before answering 1t. When he did
go his reply ran thus:
My Lord have received T9ur letter, 10
which you decline 10 accept or pay for your
portrait. have no intention of taking any
| legal proceedings against you but note your
| kind permission that may sell or do what l
avail myself of your goodness.
Yours truly,
RAPHAEL STUMBLE.
! what fool the man sp' thought the art
st. "With few touches might make him
the laughing stock of London. But 1t wouldn't
Go"
Two days afterward, as luck would have 1t,
Mr.. John Baggs came TO see Mr.. Stumble in
tent on picking up a few things for his new
picture gallery. He was an old customer OF
| Skumble's, and free buyer, so they were
excellent friends.
"Got anything that will do for Inc Skum-
/ blel" said Mr.. Baggs
"Pcrhaps hayen replied the artist; ''come
and have look round | haven't seen you
for ages what have you been doing with
yourselfin
Been busy working the Food my boy
All there's an invention for you Better than
spelling canvas, can tell you-here's pretty
| bit of landscape now-and l like the girls
head-but about the Food Stumble; it's going
ahead like mad. II could only get you TO
sketch me but few good posters for adver-
tslnglr
"Not much IN my line, fear"
this landscape mind the Food"
And Mr.. Baggs rambled around the studio,
talking volubIy the whole time, principally
about the pictures but with constantly recur-
ring references to the Food
Ever tried 1t yourself, SkumbeP' he In
CURED
"No thank you," replied the artist; "have
youi"
"We, did, said Mr.. Bags; "but, you
see, I'm fat enough. Now, you look as II you
starved yourself 1t would do you heap OF
good. III send you some"
"By the way, Baggs," asked Mr.. Stumble,
as the inspection was drawing to an end,
isn't Lord Stork friend of-yoursw
SWELL he's a neighbor OF mine" replied
Mr.. Baggs, guardedly ~ know him well
enough
~ want TO show you his portrait"
And Mr.. Stumble unveiled the rejected pic
ture.
"Hal hal" laughed Mr.. Baggs as he gazed
at his enemy's features "Never saw better
thing in my lifel The very man But really,
now, Stumble don't you think that you've
fattercd him."
ale doesn't at all events"
.why, what do you meant"
"Smply that he says It is filthy caricature,
and that he won't pay for it,"
''Well. Pm blessed what Internal impu-
dence But Amt you going to make hint"
'''Not I. shall send II to the academy as
"A Portrait thought Of calling 1t Portrait
of a Gentleman, but really couldn't"
''well / never saw a better likeness" said
Mr.. Baggs. ats as like him as two peas; red
and pompous, and as fat as"
"As II he had lived on your Food, eh,
Baggsl"
ala ha ~ laughed Mr.. Baggs again. Gaps